Joanne Heim

Index card haiku

Crisp, clean index cards--

Lined, unlined, three by five or

Four by six? Both, please.

Yes, I am a nerd. A geek. I love index cards. And don't even get me started on paper clips or the smell of sharpened pencils or Bic crystal pens. (Black only, please. Medium point. They write like a dream.)

Did you know you can set a Word document to print on an index card? You can! And then you feed them through your printer to have lovely, printed index cards. (Thanks, Heidi, for introducing me to the wonder a while back!)

That's how the girls and I make our verse cards each week, how I make all my Memory Monday cards, and how I made my turn-around cards for the Esther study.

Esther gals, did you make yours? If not, you can share mine!

Here's what they look like--nothing fancy, but better than if I'd tried to write them all out by hand.

(Front)

 

(Back)

These are set up for 3 x 5 blank index cards. Print the first file first. Then print the file of the card backs on the backs of your cards. Pretty simple, huh?

Download Turn it around cards

Download Turn it around cards--backs

Off to go print mine!

In my dreams I'm a secret agent

I love to read. Not new news to most of you! There are so many kinds of books I love to read...historical fiction, Newbery winners, mysteries, you name it. And I love spy novels. The more guns, the more gadgets, the better.

Throat mics, tactical gear, night-vision goggles? I'm all over it.

My friend Michael has been supplying me books from his never-ending supply of spy novels and so in my imagination I've been roaming the hills of Afghanistan, tracking international terrorists, and taking out the bad guys.

Just in case your taste in books runs similar to mine, I've put some of them in my Amazon shop here. So far, this one's my favorite.

Not so much on the spy side, but more of a historical, archaeological, Old Testament treasure, race the bad guys to preserve history kind of a book. I'm ready for this guy to write another book, because I loved this one. 

Never-ending study

We finished our Esther study last night at church. I can't believe it's been nine weeks since we started. Sixty three days. More than two months. How has the time gone by so quickly?

 

I love the beginning of a study when there's more to be done than you've done already, and always feel a little sad when I reach the halfway point. And then each week I struggle with wanting to race to the end, but holding myself in check because I don't want it to end.

I'm the same way with books I read. Which is why I love a good, thick book. And why I'd love a "never-ending" Bible study. Wouldn't that be great?

I know I've seen the movie "The Never Ending Story"--but to be honest, I don't remember much about it. What I do know is that the title grabbed something in me that yearns for such a thing. A story that never ever ends but just keeps going and twisting and turning and getting better with each turn of the page?

Yes, please!

But here's the thing I'm thinking this morning. 

Just because we've turned the last page in our Esther workbooks does not mean the study is over. There are pages and pages of Scripture to discover, to uncover, to dig into and study. And, if someday, we cover them all, we can start right back at the beginning and find even more treasure hidden in its pages.

So even though I'm going to miss Esther and the gals in my group, I'm a little bit excited too. Because a new chapter is about to begin again. I love studying in a group and with a workbook, but I also love studying on my own--just me and God. 

And that's what I'll be doing between now and January 27 when Bible study starts again at church.

We'll be doing Priscilla Shirer's He Speaks to Me for the first half of the spring semester, and then the women's ministry at church has asked me to teach on Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings for the six weeks after that. I am completely humbled and thrilled all at the same time. 

I'm already jotting notes on my laptop, in my journal, on scrap pieces of paper in my purse. I've started buying books on Amazon to help me study up, and have a list of books I need from the basement in Colorado. I'm waking up in the night with thoughts and ideas I pray God will remind me of in the morning.

So here's what I want to know. What group study are you doing now? And what will you study on your own when it's over?

We have some winners!

I loved hearing from so many of you on the comment and giveaway post. I love seeing where you live, learning a bit more about you, and knowing what you'd want for Christmas.

I would have loved to get each winner exactly what she wanted. But then I realized that Susan wanted Corvette, Rachel wanted a trip to Scotland, and Jamie wanted a new foundation for her house, but would settle for a chance to be on Extreme Home Makeover. If they won, my budget for the next month definitely wouldn't balance!

Other things y'all wanted? 

• A year of massages/haircuts/manicures.
• Husbands and babies.
• Karen wants a ukulele. 
• More time.
• Sewing machines.
• Master bedroom makeovers. (Why is that the LAST room to get attention?)
• Cameras or lenses for cameras.
• Ugg boots.
• Cruises. (Not me. I will never go on another cruise again. Why? Read here.)

So who did win?

#84:

 

#32:

#2:

So what have they won? Well, I'm still thinking. 

Winners, go ahead and send your mailing address to me (thesimplewife [at] aol [dot] come) and I'll get a surprise package put together and in the mail.

To sleepover or not to sleepover...

...that is just one of the questions. Along with co-sleeping, home birth (yep, I did that!) vs. hospital birth, letting your baby cry, nursing vs. bottles, whether to immunize and when, the appropriate age for make-up, if and when to get your child a cell phone, public vs. private vs. home school, and a host of other parenting questions.

I've found that most mothers feel STRONGLY about their answers. It can get heated and uncomfortable pretty quickly. 

I'm addressing this is because some of you asked--not to start mom wars.

Right of the bat, I will say this. As a parent, you need to make decisions based on what is best for your family. I don't think there's a solid right or wrong answer to these kinds of questions. No one answer for every family. 

Yes, there are definitely things that are right or wrong. But there are also a host of gray areas in parenting that you'll need to decide for your own family. What's right for my family may not be for yours. And vice versa.

So. Sleepovers.

I loved sleepovers as a kid with my BFFs. Whenever I slept over at someone's house, my parents knew the family really well. I knew the family really well. I felt comfortable and safe.

Except once.

One time I slept over at someone's house I didn't know very well. I don't remember much about what we did, where we slept, what we ate. Except that their pool that I was so excited to swim in was covered in green scum. We didn't eat dinner as a family. I couldn't sleep.

I remember wanting to go home so desperately. Wanting my own bed and my own family with everything in me and not sure how to ask, not sure what to do in the middle of the night when no one else was awake.

I don't ever want my girls to feel that way. So right off the bat, I knew that in order to have a sleepover, I'd have to know the family really, really well. Mom, Dad, all the siblings. 

(And let's face it. Sometimes someone I don't know well--someone whose child doesn't really know mine all that well--invites my kids to sleep over. Instead of saying "Are you kidding? I don't know you well enough to trust you with my child!" it's just easier to have it be our family rule that we don't do sleepovers in general.)

The girls have both had sleepovers in the past--both at someone's house and at our house--with their BFFs. Emma usually calls for us to come and get her. And it's usually after 9 p.m. And it's often snowing. Audrey has had friends stay at our house.

And almost every time, she gets in trouble for excluding her sister. Doesn't sleep well. Is awful the next day because she's tired. And gets in more trouble.

In short, for the most part, it's just not worth it. So we came up with no sleepovers in general rule. A rule that we will break from time to time for a special occasion, for a treat.

Instead, we love pajama play dates--friends come over, have dinner, bring their jammies, watch movies, and go home to sleep in their own beds at a reasonable hour.

That's what works best for my family.

(And after blogging the other morning about how great Audrey did with her sleepover, she completely lost it on Sunday afternoon and ended up in her room until bedtime. Toben's response? "No more sleepovers!")

***

So without starting a huge and heated debate, what works best for your family? I got the sense that some of you are still figuring that out and asking what works best for others and why. So start talking...

Memory Monday on Tuesday

Here's what we're learning this week, personalized for us girls:

 

(That's Audrey's verse card.)

(And here's Emma's for the other verses we're learning.)

 

I'm especially excited about learning Proverbs 26:18-19. How often do we say something cutting, something unkind or do something mean, something petty and excuse ourselves with "I was only joking!" or "I didn't really mean it!"?

The girls and I had a great conversation about what this means yesterday and I *think* they got it. Or started to get it at least. 

 

What are you learning this week? Leave a comment or a link below. And if you'd like to join in, click on the Memory Button in the sidebar and you'll find all you need to know!

Background music

I love having pretty music on in the background while we do school. Inspired by my lovely friend Kimberly (visit her here--you will love her!), I purchased the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack from iTunes.

(Kimberly is also one of my dear in real life friends too--we "met" over blogging, then met for tea in Denver. An afternoon in Kimberly's home soothes my soul.)

We've listened to it over and over. And over. And over.

Anyone have any other great background music suggestions?

Growing up

Look at how long Audrey's toes are. Crazy! She's growing up so fast. 

And while I often feel like I need a support group of other moms of 11-year-old girls to help keep me from losing my mind, I'm so proud of her, so amazed at the girl she's growing up to be.

(Notice I didn't say "young woman"--I am not quite ready to go that far.)

She's sound asleep still this morning, snuggled up with a friend who is spending the night. Sleepovers are typically taboo in our house, but Audrey's friend is struggling and they needed some time together, some special time to whisper and feel privileged, and be little girls in the midst of dealing with some hard things even for grown ups to navigate.

Audrey is showing care and concern and compassion. She's being a good friend, focused on her friend's needs and cares and putting her friend first. She's learning to be an encourager, the value of a note put in the mail even when you'll see her face to face after school, the blessing of being a listening ear.

And she's even doing it all without excluding Emma. Wonders never cease...

Read+Chat+Live: A week to catch up

I saw Aurora's comment about a busy schedule this past week and thought it might be a good idea to take a week to catch up. It's that time of year for fall break, for the flu, for colds and sore throats.

Anyone feeling like you need a week to catch up? This book is filled with such treasure--I don't want it to feel like an obligation or be rushed. Take this week to savor, to ponder, to mull it over, and catch up.

I'll post questions for chapter 6 next Sunday!

Comments and a giveaway

I love this! Comments are still trickling in and thanks to sitemeter I know there are some of you who haven't said hello yet. So I'll leave this up another day or two and do a giveaway on Tuesday if anyone else wants to weigh in.

***

Good morning!

I've been seeing some comments from some of you I've not heard from before, and I LOVE IT! It's so fun to get even a small feel of who you are and where you're from.

So just out of curiosity and for my own bloggy pleasure, if you're reading this post and whether I know you or you've never ever commented before or you comment every post or even is this is your first time here, would you leave a comment? Please?

Here's what I would love to know:

• Your name
• Where you live
• One thing you'd really like for Christmas 

(And NOT world peace! We'd all love that, but I'm looking for something along the lines of an out-of-this-world, crazy, indulgent, if you could have anything, anything you wanted, what would it be?)

Why Christmas? Because I just realized last night that even though it was in the 80s in Phoenix yesterday, it was snowing in Denver and Christmas is coming and I haven't given a thought to what to do/make/buy for the people I love for Christmas. Usually I've had a plan going since July, but I've somehow been stuck in summer mode and am thinking it's time I got crackin'.

After a few days when everyone's had a chance to comment, I'll do a little drawing. Probably not for something like a trip around the world or a diamond ring too heavy to lift or your own personal barista to bring you coffee in bed each morning, but something.

Ready? Set? Go!

P.S. And don't forget to scroll down and type in the code to make your comment post. I know some of you have clicked on the publish button and then gone elsewhere. I only see your comment if you punch in that code. It's a hassle, but it saves me from gobs of spam, so thanks.

Cut'n Jump

When we were in San Diego last month, Aunt Susan told me she had something for my mom, something she'd pulled out of the dumpster and stored out back for her.

This, to be exact:

 

A custom-made wooden slalem ski. Isn't the logo amazing?

 

We cleaned it up and hung it on the wall. It's not like we could send it in the mail, so we might as well enjoy it. I've told Mom that it's waiting for her if she wants it, but Toben loves it and has declared she's gonna have to fight him for it. Indian leg wrestling maybe?

Why a water ski for my mom?

Susan knows how much we love to ski every summer at the lake (of the Ozarks in Missouri, that is--Osage Beach, to be exact) and that my mother is a fabulous skier. (Kristen and I are sure it's in the genes, since we aren't too bad either and always get up on the first try.)

Mom learned on the bayou in Louisiana when she was a kid, so she had to good. In my mind, she learned to ski fast and well and not fall down so she wouldn't be eaten by the 'gators I imagine were here, there, and everywhere just waiting to eat her for lunch.

Memory Monday: Romans 8:38-39

Oh my goodness, our school schedule is all off! So we're going to keep working on Romans 8:38-39 and get back on track next week.

And I never posted last week since I was up in the mountains. I'm all discombobulated! 

But life should be back to normal next week. (knocking on wood!)

Going on a secret trip

I'm right now on my way to Denver for a couple of days. And if you live there, you already know I didn't tell anyone I was coming.

Emma was supposed to take a trip with Toben to see her BFF, but then his trip got cancelled and he couldn't go. She was heartbroken, so we've juggled tickets and she and I are on a plane headed for Denver rightthisveryminute.

It's a quick trip and as much as I'd love to see everyone I love, it's just not possible. But I will be there for Christmas with lots of time to sit and chat.

It's such a quick trip, I'm not even taking my computer. So I'll be unplugged for a couple of days and back around the bloggy world near the end of the week.

Much love,

Joanne

Well, I'm up and dressed and packed, but sitting at the dining room table in the dark instead of in the car on the way to the airport. This was all set to auto post in about an hour, but I've just re-tucked everyone into bed.

Emma woke up with a fever, in tears because she's not feeling well. So we made the difficult call to cancel our trip. Don't you hate being a grown up sometimes? Fifteen minutes until you're supposed to be walking out the door and trying to decide what to do.

We decided to stay home and then I called my mom to confirm we'd done the right thing. Which she said we had. (Thanks, Mom!) There are just times that I need someone to tell me I'm doing the right thing. Is that something we ever outgrow, do you think?

The right thing is sometimes the really hard thing.

So today I'll unpack everything I packed last night, bring Emma drinks with bendy straws and work on getting caught up on things like email and housecleaning and the reading we need to do for homeschooling.

If you think of Emma today, would you say a prayer for her heart? She's disappointed--again. This is the second time this trip has been cancelled and I'm not sure what's worse--the fever headache or the heartache. (And you could say a prayer for her BFF Hayden while you're at it. This is the second time she's been disappointed too.)

It's such a comfort to me to know that God cares about our heartaches--big or seemingly small. He knows how much Emma's heart is hurting and he cares deeply. As a mom, that makes me love him all the more.

Still much love,

Joanne

Spiritual Mothering: Chapter 5

With chapter 5, we get to start examining the model of spiritual mothering, looking at Elizabeth and Mary. So let's get going!

 

1. Take a minute to read Karen's story, beginning on page 71. If you were to describe the kind of "charm school" you'd want to attend with a mentor, how might you describe it?

2. This kind of spiritual mothering relationship is all about "nurturing." After reading this chapter, how would you define nurturing?

3. This chapter includes some valuable information on who does what. Who asks who when it comes to this kind of relationship? That's an important question! Read the paragraph at the top of page 76. Do you agree? Disagree? Explain your response.

4. Are you cultivating younger women around you? How?

5. "A nurturing relationship serves." I don't know about you, but I tend to think of a mentor as being someone who is exalted rather than one who is a servant. As you think about mothering someone by serving her, does that change your perception about your ability to be a spiritual mother?

6. Hunt walks us through what Jesus knew to be true about himself that allowed him to serve freely on pages 79-82. The fact that we know these same things about ourselves frees us to serve.

"The knowledge of our eternal destiny gives a calmness and confidence regardless of present circumstances" (page 82). 

Was there anything in this section you needed to be reminded of today?

7. Anything else?

***

Leave your responses in the comments or link to your own blog post if you prefer. And don't forget to keep coming back to see what everyone is saying. There are some new comments on the previous chapters!

Tired

I'm feeling tired this morning. Rested, but tired. A little worn. (Love that Nyquil! Took some since I'm feeling cold-ish and didn't move a bit all night long. Sure makes making the bed easy!)

I think I thought that this year in Phoenix would be different than it's turning out to be. More restful. More relaxed. Easier, somehow. But it's not.

And that's not bad. I'm not complaining. Just readjusting my expectations a little.

Here's the thing. Lots of good things are hard. Just because something's hard doesn't mean it's not good, doesn't mean we should give up or reconsider our commitment to it.

Parenting is hard. Marriage is hard. Relationships are hard. School is hard. Life is hard.

But good.

Today? The girls and I really need to get some schoolwork done. And I need to fold the laundry that's been sitting in the dryer since Tuesday night. Groceries must be bought. Menus planned. Email answered.

And throughout it all there are prayers to be prayed. Part of my weariness--or maybe it's more of a heaviness--comes from what's going on with friends. Feeling the weight of it with them, loving them, caring for and about them.

Again, it's hard. But good. Nothing I would trade.

I'm so thankful we can help bear one another's burdens this morning. That even as we help one another along, God is there with us, carrying us as we support one another.

O Lord God, 
 Renew. Restore. Redeem. 
 Heal and grant hope. 
 Be near.

Back from the cabin in the woods

Oh wow, did I get an autumn fix yesterday. Driving down from the mountains, seeing blue skies, vast evergreens, spots of riotous color. I didn't realize how much I needed it. Does nature ever just thrill your soul?

I hadn't noticed it on Sunday night because it was dark. And I had to pee so bad. And then we got lost and turned around in the dark. And I had to stop and pee in the middle of the dirt road in the woods. So not my favorite thing to do. 

TMI. I know. Sorry.

And though I'm not really a desert girl, I saw beauty there too. Cactus are really rather amazing--though I'll always prefer a tree to a cactus. Still.

I'll be back later to catch up more, but just wanted to say a quick good morning. 

"Good morning!"

Spiritual Mothering: Chapter 4

So far, we've talked about the WHY of spiritual mothering, with this chapter we'll discuss the WHAT. What do we talk about in a spiritual mothering relationship?

Let's get started...

 

1. Hunt identifies the elements of curriculum for this relationship as love, relationships, and conduct. "There seems to be a direct correlation between the characteristics discussed in the last chapter that qualify women to train younger women, and the elements of training" (page 56).

As you look at the list below, which elements are you most excited about? Which elements make you think, I'm not sure about that one?

• Reverence (love)
• Not slanderers (relationships)
• Not addicted (conduct)

Now think about the flip question. Is there an area in which you feel God has especially gifted you--either through natural ability or even huge failures and so knowing what NOT to do?

2. "Biblical love does not come naturally" (page 57). What's your response to that statement? 

What particularly stood out to you in the section on "Love" beginning on page 56?

3. Here comes that speech thing again! "Until a woman has submitted her speech to the Lord, she surely cannot influence a younger woman to build right relationships." 

Note that it does NOT say, "Until a woman has her speech perfectly under control."

What does "submitting" your speech to the Lord look like? How might you make that a daily (hourly?!) practice?

4. Prayer AND practical advice are part of what an older woman offers a younger one. How have both prayer and practical advice been helpful to you? Which do you tend to give more easily? How could you work on developing the other?

5. "Only a passion for God's glory can overpower our self-interest" (page 63). We're back to knowing our purpose and identity again. How is identifying yourself as "the Lord's servant" and living with a purpose of glorifying God going? Is it starting to come more naturally?

It's a process to change how we think! What's helping you keep these things in the forefront of your mind? How are you "setting your mind" on these truths each day?

6. "Overindulgence in anything eventually enslaves" (page 63). How did this reminder hit you? Is there anything that immediately came to your mind as something you're in danger of overindulging with? Again, how can we pray for one another in this?

7. So you've seen what stood out to me from the questions and quotations. What's one question you would ask everyone from this chapter?

8. Anything else?

Any questions about what we're doing here? If you're new, click on the button in the sidebar to find out what's going on. Anything else? Send me an email or leave a comment.

And, yes, I'm noticing too that I asked more questions this week again. There's just so much good stuff to cover!

I'm heading out the door for a couple of days at a cabin with a friend and our kids. Not sure if I'll be checking in or not. If not, I'll see you mid-week!

This post didn't turn out to be quite what I expected, but it's what was on my heart this morning

Toben and Audrey went to see David Crowder Band last night and rolled in about midnight. Emma and I were sound asleep, after having had a little pj night with a friend and her daughter. A new friend who is such a good listener and whom I fear has heard enough about me to last her a lifetime.

I kept thinking, "Stop talking about yourself!" but she kept on asking and there were some things I needed to get off my chest, some things I needed to talk through, and I trust her. She's safe. And she offered some invaluable wisdom.

Do you have friends like that? I hope so. How God has blessed me with several of these kinds of friends in just a short amount of time! When I stop to remember that we've only been here in Phoenix for a few months and yet I have women like this in my life already, I'm just blown away. Thank you, Lord!

One thing I love is that the conversation always comes around to God's glory, his truth, his will. It's never just about me or whatever is bothering me. No, the question is always about the bigger picture, about how I will respond in a way that honors God. How is whatever it is being used to transform me into the image of Jesus, to point to God, to deepen my faith?

I've been thinking about Esther a lot--no surprise since that's the study I'm doing right now. In this past week's homework, she exposed Haman to the king. "The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman" (Esther 7:6).

And I've been thinking about exposing my enemy to my King. Yes, I know that God already knows what Satan is up to. That he's not surprised, caught off guard, worrying what Satan will do next. But he's invited me to pour out my heart to him, he's invited me to tattle tale on my enemy and let him deal with it.

So I have been.

It's been a little weird at first. But empowering. To say to God: "Satan means this thing for our harm. He means it for our destruction. But your Word has promised that you will use it for our good and for your glory. Come and rescue me, make me wise to the enemy's schemes, fight my battles for me. Help me see the truth that we're not fighting against flesh and blood, but against the enemy of our souls."

I have been a total tattle tale. It's amazing how this is changed my thinking, my praying, my trust. 

It's trust that turns it around. Whatever is tough right now, trust can turn it around. Because if whatever it is happens, my God will take tender care of me. Of my family.

***

Reading this through again makes me realize that it sounds like there's major drama going on in my family. And there's not. No need to worry. 

We're not on the brink of disaster. Really, it's just normal, everyday kind of life stuff that we all face. But let's be honest. It's often that normal, everyday life kind of stuff that gets us down the most. Huge drama tends to be a little rarer. Constant wearing away is exhausting and, in the long run, can do just as much harm, I think. That's why I'm determined to address it.

I don't know what you're dealing with. But you have a heavenly Father who's ready to listen to you tattle on your enemy. Go do it and let him deal with it.

A picture of grace

The UPS man rang my doorbell just now and handed me a box from Antropologie. I was confused, because I hadn't ordered anything. 

Today, this is a picture of grace:

 

An unexpected gift from a darling friend. Out of the blue. Unsought. Beyond my wildest expectations. Undeserved. Given in love at another's expense. Received with joy. With tears. With humility. With thanks.

Grace.

Dear Beth (Moore, that is)

Oh my goodness, I had the weirdest dream last night. And even though I know it was just a dream, I have to apologize for standing you up for breakfast, which would never happen in real life. So if ever you want to invite me out for breakfast, rest assured that I will be there. On time. With bells on, even.

You see, I had gotten the time mixed up in my head and in rushing around trying to get ready, I couldn't get my orange tee shirt tucked in to my jeans. 

(This is how we know it was a dream. I haven't tucked a shirt in my pants in YEARS. At least since 1992.)

And then? Well, I couldn't even get the button on my jeans anywhere near the buttonhole. And it wasn't just because my shirt was bunchy. It was because my jeans had somehow ended up being three sizes too small and so incredibly high waisted that they came clear up over my belly button. Which sent me off into another tailspin on top of being late. I hate being late, but I may hate jeans that are suddenly too small even more.

And then? Well, I looked in the mirror and somehow my hair had grown long again, but was in pigtails. And not cute pigtails either. But uneven pigtails with pony holders at the top AND bottom. And spiky bits of hair sticking out here and there from the braids.

It was bad. REALLY bad.

Just before I burst into tears, I woke up. And even though it wasn't quite time to get up, I was glad to be awake. Who cares if I had bedhead and it was still hours before dawn? Bedhead was way better than what it had been in my mind.

And while I was so sad I never actually made it to breakfast with you--because I was SO EXCITED to have breakfast with you--I was kinda glad you didn't see me in that state. Kinda glad no one did. It was NOT pretty.

Yes, I know it wasn't real. But it was seemed like a total nightmare.

Anyway, it's Wednesday. So I'll see you at Bible study tonight. I'll be the one with my hair NOT in uneven, spiky pigtails and with my shirt most definitely NOT tucked in, but wearing cute jeans that actually fit.

Love,

Joanne

P.S. Next time you're in Phoenix, Beth, breakfast is on me!

Talking on the radio

We're taking a lunch break during our school day and I've already finished my sandwich, so I thought I'd pop by to say hello while the girls finish eating and rocking out the Hannah Montana Movie soundtrack. (BTW, I love that Butterfly song!)

Today's been a good day so far--much better than yesterday. Don't know what was up, but I felt off all day. Mostly I was frustrated with myself. I had expectations for starting the week and didn't live up to my expectations of myself.

And I didn't get showered and dressed and put together until sometime around 3. Silly, but true: If I don't get myself together, I have a hard time feeling ready for the day. Yes, there are pajama/sweats/workout clothes days. Days when I'm cleaning or bumming. And somehow that's okay. But a normal day when I feel the need to be productive? It helps if I get up and get myself ready before the day starts.

All that to say I got up when the alarm when off this morning, had a nice, long quiet time, worked out, got showered, dressed, and made-up before we started school around 9.

My big plans today? I have a radio interview at 3:00 with American Family Living. We're talking about Misplacing God. It'll be taped and then broken down into a series of programs. 

I love doing interviews and think they are a lot of fun. The thing I'm not so good at? Promoting my books myself. It's my least favorite part of writing books. Yes, I love to talk about my books--but only when asked. I'm uncomfortable saying "Hey you! I wrote books! Buy my books!"

And yet I worked hard on them, I poured myself into them, and I don't want to see them just sit on a shelf. Books are meant to be read!

It's not about making money. Because unless you're Nora Roberts or Clive Cussler or someone like that, you're not making enough to live on. Enough to go out to dinner? Yes. Enough to put a little away for a rainy day? Yes.

But a vacation home or a new car or a trip around the world? Not so much.

Publicity and promotion--even promoting my books myself--is necessary. And we've already covered the fact that I struggle with that.

And there's the rub. Because if no one buys them, they don't sell, and I'm a lot less likely to get the opportunity to write another one.

Not that I'm working on anything specific right now--homeschooling has my focus right now. But there are always ideas rolling around for what's next.

I know a bunch of you took me up on my offer for a free book in exchange for a book review on your blog. If you've not done it yet, please do. (There! I must be making progress!) And if I've forgotten to put your post's link on this page, let me know (because I know I've missed a bunch). Send me the review link and I'll get it up as fast as I can.

(Oh, and you can always leave a review or a link to a review in the comments on that page too. And a review on Amazon. There--look at me--asking away!)

And if you have brilliant publicity ideas/opportunities for me, I sure wouldn't mind hearing them. :)

Memory Monday: Lamentations 3:21-24

Yet this I call to mind 
    and therefore I have hope:
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness. 
I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion,
    therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:21-24

This next week we'll (me and the girls--you can pick your own verse!) be learning Romans 8:38-39. When I typed it out on our verse cards, I formatted it like this:

I'm a visual learner and making it look this way will help me to remember it better!

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Spiritual Mothering: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Command

I love, love, love reading all your comments. And seeing that you are commenting on one another's posts and comments. So fun! How I wish you could all come sit around my living room in your jammies and we could chat in person.

It will be heaven...quite literally!

So...chapter 3.

Now that we've established that God is the reference point for all of life and God's glory is the over-arching goal for all of life, we get to look at the command itself as found in Titus 2:3-4. What does the Bible say about this kind of nurturing and equipping relationship?

I have to say that this is the kind of in-depth study I love--picking a verse or a passage and exploring its meaning. It's like digging for treasure, and because it's God's Word, there is always treasure to find.

Here are this week's questions:

1. So far, what's your favorite thing about this book? What's been your biggest "a-ha" moment? What are you telling others about this book?

2. From page 40: "Paul did not expect or want the women in the Cretan church to change their conduct without changing their thinking. He wanted them to think Christianly so that they would act Christianly. And sound doctrine is essential for right thinking."

The truth is that for change to last, for it to be effective, our thinking must change--not just our behavior. How have you found this to be true in your life? Is there an area in your life where you are asking God to transform your thinking? Feel free to be specific so we can pray for you as we visit with each other this week.

3. Hunt talks about the urgency of this call to invest in the lives of younger women (page 42), stating that it is a "pivotal issue" in our culture. How do you respond to this? Do you agree that the way "to combat the decadence of [your] culture" is to focus on energies on these kinds of mentoring relationships? Why, or why not?

Look too at the quote from John Adams on the bottom of page 42. If this is true, what do you think it says about the country in which you live? Does how you respond to this affect how you view mentoring as both "urgent" and "pivotal"?

4. Review the characteristics of the command on pages 43-44. As you read this (and remembering that God equips women to do what he has called us to do), what stands out to you? Is there an area where you need some additional discipline or help? How could you make that area a focus of prayer in the next week?

5. "Older women are to encourage and equip younger women to live for God's glory...The older women in the congregation were to be taught how to live in accordance with sound doctrine so that they could train the younger women--no exceptions" (page 46). 

All of us are older than someone else. So none of us can use the excuse of being too young to adhere to this command. Read through the section "Who Are the Older Women?" once more. Here's what it comes down to: "No theological expert. No super saint. Just a woman willing to be obedient to the command to mother."

Take a look at the reasons you've thought you might not be qualified to mother another. What kinds of things have held you back? Do your reasons still stand in light of what you've just read? 

6. This is getting long...so let's end with the usual "Anything else?" In some ways this is my favorite because I'm always so curious to know what jumped off the page at you!

I'll end with just a few last thoughts...

"Christian women are good at doing what is commanded here."

"Obedience to [this command] brings out the very best in us."

Finally, let's remember to keep on praying and asking God to reveal to us who we could ask to be our own mentor, and also to keep us open and available to a woman he would have us to mentor.

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As always, click on the button in the sidebar on the right for all the pertinent information on this book discussion. And no, it's not too late to join. We'd love to have you!

Blogging

I've been blogging at Our Crazy Marriage and the TwoIgnite blog today. Go take a peek.

My thoughtful dad

As we were driving home from dinner last night (Thank you, Cran family--we had an awesome time and loved being invited into your home!), I checked my email on my iPhone (Have I mentioned how much I love it?) and saw I had an email entitled "Love your hair." How wonderful is that?

I opened it, and it only got BETTER. See?

How thoughtful is my sweet Dad? To read my blog and to comment about my hair? I am one blessed daughter. 

I love you, Dad. And miss you.